<
        >

          'It's so nice to be a REAL MADRID fan!': Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and others react to the UEFA Champions League final

          (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
          • ESPN.com
          May 28, 2022, 05:54 PM ET

          What a match!

          Real Madrid have defeated Liverpool FC 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final. Vinícius Junior scored the deciding goal in the 59th minute, becoming the fifth-youngest player to score in a UCL final. Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was the hero for Madrid, recording nine saves and turning away a scary chance from Mohamed Salah in the waning minutes. It's Madrid's record 14th UEFA Champions League/European Cup title and their first since 2018.

          Madrid had a strong UCL season, winning five times and losing only against Manchester City. They avenged that loss soon enough, however, engineering an incredible comeback by scoring twice after the 90th minute -- just enough to win 6-5 on aggregate.

          This game wasn't quite as dramatic as their victory against Manchester City, but it wasn't entirely without controversy. In the first half, Karim Benzema took advantage of a chaotic sequence in front of Liverpool's goal, scoring in the 42nd minute. The goal was disallowed, however, after a VAR (video assistant referee) review determined that he was offside.

          Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, a noted fan of Madrid, was not happy with the decision.

          Other notable athletes across the sports world reacted to the final, heaping praise on Vinicius Junior and Courtois.